Should Pastors Preach Politics From the Pulpit?

The View From the Pulpit

It is impossible to leave our spiritual/moral values at home when we go to the polls as they make up whom and what we are, but how much of a role in your political decision making does your religious ideology or clergyman play? How much of a role should the Church play in American politics?

Islam, since its inception, has had politics and government as a fundamental part of that religion’s philosophy with the best or worst example being the Revolutionary Government of Iran where it is the clerics, not the elected leaders, who have the real power. It can be argued that Iran’s interpretation of Muhammad’s teachings is inaccurate, but it cannot be denied that the government of Iran is a theocracy.

We’ve only to look at European history to see the similar involvement of the Church in not only politics and government, but in every aspect of an individual’s life that spanned hundreds of years until the Enlightenment.

Are there American rabbis, imams, or other religious leaders preaching civics in their houses of worships? Does your church or synagogue preach a particular political philosophy or pressure parishioners to vote in a certain way? Can clergy by the very act of engaging a congregation in a political discussion influence the decision making process of voters? What risk do we run in the preservation of the separation of Church and State when pastors preach politics from the pulpit? Does the possibility exist that politicians will begin to preach religious doctrine from political offices? Is it already happening?

All these questions began to nag me when a friend forwarded an email from another friend asking for opinions on why it is important to vote and are civics an intricate part of the religions of the world. I was struck not so much by the question of why it is important to vote, but by the fact that this was the topic of discussion for a Lutheran adult education class. Although I was raised as an Episcopalian I have been so long not a part of organized religion that I was amazed that Christian education, whether adult or child, should include civics in its curriculum. When I wore the doily, Christian education was being educated in Christian doctrine, not political ideology.

I believe that it is important to vote because for democracy to function all voices ought to be heard. As citizens of a democracy I believe it is important for us to be educated in the function of government and politics as well as the issues facing the nation at any given time. There are countries that require voting. I cannot decide if I like the notion of anyone being legally bound to participate in politics. In my heart, I’d rather the uninformed stayed home.

So I throw open the floor on the eve of an election, why do you think it is important that you vote and what role do you believe religion plays or ought to play in politics?